While playwrights and poets
dominate literatures fictional works, the prolific writing of scholars
inspire a myriad of new ideas, thoughts and inspiration in its broad based readership.
Scholars pen a vast assortment of non-fictional texts ranging from complex scientific
journals to inflammatory political treatises. Unlike their literary counterparts,
scholars use their mastery of language to inform their audience rather than
entertain. Most of civilizations accumulated knowledge results from the
tireless research conducted by scholars.

Scholars always possess
at least a rudimentary education, although the vast majority acquire advanced
degrees from accredited universities. Because of their intellectual nature,
many scholars remain at their alma mater, frequently serving as a professor
or in an administrative capacity. Despite the demands of their employment, scholars
consider publishing their ideas paramount above all other tasks. For this reason,
many university scholars take yearly sabbaticals to conduct research and author
their books. However, a small minority of scholars abandon their academic heritage
and obtain employment from governments and wealthy patrons intrigued by their
theories. Bereft of the scholastic responsibilities of the university, these
scholars devote all of their energies to their writing. Usually well funded
and handsomely compensated, scholars working outside of a universitys
sphere of influence produce some of societys most innovative and controversial
ideas and philosophies. While collegiate scholars concentrate their efforts
on historical, arcane and scientific principles, non-affiliated individuals
delve into the more radical arenas of thought such as political and religious
theory. Despite their differences, the ideas espoused by both circles circulate
throughout all classes, sparking heated debate and ponderous contemplation among
their readership.

In addition to their occupational
duties, many scholars also conduct freelance research upon demand. Often pressed
into service by needy adventurers, scholars unlock the mysterious secrets of
ancient ruins, lost civilizations and legendary figures and artifacts. Some
scholars, however, choose to take an active rather than a passive role in the
accumulation of knowledge. Leaving the security of their academic world behind
them, they venture side by side with hardy adventurers, contributing their vast
wealth of information and expertise to the task at hand. Most adventuring scholars
are bards, sorcerers or wizards, complementing their knowledge with a formidable
repertoire of arcane spells and magical abilities.

Hit Die: d6

Requirements

To qualify to become a
scholar, a character must fulfill all of the following criteria.Base Attack Bonus: +2Race: Any humanoidAlignment: Any non-chaoticAlchemy: 6 ranksConcentration : 4 ranksKnowledge (any): 7 ranksScry: 4 ranksSpellcraft: 4 ranksOther: The character must be literate and able to cast 2nd level arcane
spells.

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Scholars are proficient with all light armors and simple weapons. They are not
proficient with shields.

Draft Scholarly Work
(Ex): A scholar may create one book every three months, not to exceed two
per year. The book does not require her undivided attention; however, any absence
greater than two weeks increases the time necessary to write the book by one
month or the duration of the absence, whichever is longer. The scholar chooses
a specific topic for the book, including a working title and brief summary of
the book. Unlike fictional works, writing a scholarly text requires extensive
amounts of research, costing the scholar gold pieces equivalent to 30 minus
her Knowledge ranks in the particular field
of study. For example, a scholar with nine ranks of Knowledge (the planes) writes a book
about The Abyss. The cost of writing
the book is twenty-one gp. (30 - 9 = 21). When book is complete, the player
rolls a Knowledge check in the specific
field, modified by any circumstance bonuses awarded by the GM for the books
innovate topic and title. The book generates income equal to the characters
scholar level multiplied by her modified Knowledge check.

For instance, a 3rd level
Scholar with eleven ranks in Knowledge (local) and an 18 Intelligence authors a work
called Pub(lic) Knowledge, a review and critique of local taverns. Because of
the clever title, the GM awards the player a +2 circumstance bonus to her Knowledge check. The player rolls a 10 on her Knowledge check. Adding all
of her bonuses, the work receives a final score of twenty-seven. [10 (her roll)
+ 2 (her circumstance bonus) + 11 (her ranks) + 4 (her Intelligence modifier) = 27].
The book generates 81 gp. The scholar must retain a record of all her works
including their titles, field of study and the modified Knowledge check result.

Spells: Scholars
cast a limited number of arcane spells. In order to cast spells, her Intelligence
score can be no less than 10 + the spells level. Her bonus spells are
based on Intelligence, and saving throws against these spells have a difficulty
class of 10 + the spells level + the scholars Intelligence modifier.
When she gains 0 spells of a given level, the scholar receives only bonus spells,
if she is entitled to any. The scholars spell list appears below the chart
for her daily allotment of spells. Scholars prepare and cast spells as a wizard.

Call Upon Knowledge
(Ex):A number of times per day equal to her Intelligence modifier, the scholar
uses her knowledge and expertise to recall an important piece of information.
Whenever this ability is used, the scholar automatically succeeds at any specific Knowledge check if the Knowledge result for her most recent scholarly work in
that particular field of study equals or exceeds the difficulty class of the Knowledge check. It takes one minute to use this ability.

Vast Intellect (Ex): Scholars receive a +2 competence bonus to all skill checks with Intelligence as the key ability.

Identify Written Works
(Su): Because of their exposure to countless books, scholars possess the
ability to identify the general function of any magical written work. In order
to ascertain the items abilities, the scholar rolls a d20 adding her scholar
level and Intelligence modifier. Any modified result exceeding 25 accurately
determines its general function. This ability can be used a number of times
per day equal to the scholars level.

Word Traps (Su): A scholar can find traps involving writing as if she were a rogue. The ability
affects any trap triggered by the reading or speaking of any written word, or
where a written word is inherent to the traps functioning. This includes
spells such as explosive
runes and glyph
of warding. There are no limitations
on its daily usage.

Renaissance (Ex): The scholar receives a competence bonus to her skill checks equal to her level,
distributing the bonus in any manner that she wants. For example, a 9th level
scholar receives nine points to distribute to any skill check. She can choose
to add a +5 bonus to one skill check and a +4 bonus to another skill check.

Determine Vulnerability
(Ex): A number of times per day equal to her Intelligence modifier, the scholar observes
the actions of any visible opponent within her line of sight. Use of this ability
is a full round action that provokes attacks of opportunity. Once completed,
the scholar makes an Intelligence check against a DC 20 for each of the creatures
weaknesses or immunities. (Any vulnerabilities or immunities granted as a result
of being a member of a particular subtype, such as undead or construct, do not
require a check). For instance, a scholar observes his allies combating a mummy.
After spending a round observing the fray, the scholar rolls two Intelligence checks,
the first to discover the mummys resistance to blows, and the second to
reveal its vulnerability to fire. The scholar already knows the abilities gained
from the undead subtype; therefore no check is required. If the scholar used
this ability to observe a creature without any specific weaknesses, it still
counts as a usage toward her daily limit.

Course of Action (Su):Once per day, the scholar can attempt to determine the best course of action
in a particular situation. Use of this ability is a full round action that provokes
attacks of opportunity. After analyzing the situation for one round, the scholar
rolls an Intelligence check against a DC 20. If successful, the scholar receives
advice similar to an Augury spell without any chance of failure. However, unlike
the Augury spell, the scholar receives a clear and easily understood response.

Mystical Insight (Su):Once per day, the scholar receives an insight bonus equal to her Intelligence modifier
to her attack, AC, save or skill checks for one minute. Activating the ability
is a free action.

legend
lore (Su):Once per day, the scholar can cast legend
lore as if she were a cleric of the same level. The ability is subject to
all of the spells limitations including casting time.

Income

While some of the prestige
classes rely exclusively on their creativity for income, several others work
for another entity. This class receives their income on a monthly basis according
to the following formulas.

The
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the terms of the Open Game License v1.0a.

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